Hirn, Nyi rally for titles

Saturday

Jul 27, 2013 at 12:16 AM

Pontiac Junior Open follow

Erich Murphy

Brock Hirn made a comeback for the ages, and he’s not even old enough to drive — a car. But he showed he can drive a golf ball on the second day of the Pontiac Junior Open. Hirn trailed the Day 1 leader by nine strokes and was in fourth place heading into Thursday’s round. He sizzled with the best round of any player on the day when he carded a 1-over 73 to rocket to the championship of the 14-15-year-old boys’ group at Wolf Creek Golf Course. Griffin Nyi’s rally wasn’t as impressive but was certainly very much the same in terms of importance. Nyi was down one stroke after the first round at the Elks Club but he had the best final round to win the 12-13 boys’ age group. Hirn shot 94 at the Elks for a 21-stroke difference in the two days, and caused a stir at Wolf Creek after hitting into the group ahead of him twice, including on No. 8 (which was the next-to-last hole as all those playing 18 holes started on the back) where his second shot ended up within 15 of the cup on the 510-yard par 5. Hirn’s total was 167, edging Dallas Koth by one stroke. Koth had rounds of 85-83. Nyi trailed Karson Kafer by one stroke after Wednesday. He shot a 91, the best round among those in his group, on Thursday to tally a 184 and win the 12-13 title. Although Sarah Maddox won by 19 strokes in the girls’ 16-18 age group, there was still some excitement when Drew Grimes and Julie Hogan each came in with a 201 to tie for second. Grimes won the scorecard playoff on the first hole to take home the second-place trophy. The following are the final scores of those who completed the two-day event. Those playing 36 holes (18 each day) were the boys’ groups of 12-13, 14-15 and 16-18 and the girls’ 14-15 and 16-18. The younger groups all played 18 holes (9 each day). Boys 16-18 — Lincoln Slagel 74-80-154; Mike Edinger 79-79-158; Austin Drake 81-79-160; Adam Livezey 83-84-167; Peyton Ferrara 92-87-179; Tyler Allen 87-93-180; Cole Finnegan 95-85-190; Sam Trainor 92-100-192; Kyle Robinson 104-95-199; Seth Galloway 106-93-199; Drew Jensen 109-109-218. Boys 14-15 — Brock Hirn 94-73-167; Dallas Koth 85-83-168; Matthew Schrock 91-86-177; Nathan Zabel 90-88-178; Victor Johns 112-107-219. Boys 12-13 — Griffin Nyi 93-91-184; Karson Kafer 92-100-192; Tyler Orgler 102-93-195; Jack Bachtold 112-104-216; Ben Clavey 118-98-216; Kolby Kafer 111-109; 220; Tyler Monahan 108-129-237; Blaine Steidinger 138-119-257; Peter Babb 142-137-279. Boys 10-11 — Tommy Nelson 51-44-95; Griffin Brunner 51-51-102; Rocco Sartoris 52-62-114; Garrett Brunner 52-64-116; Blaze Masching 65-87-152. Boys 8-9 — Michael Cavanaugh 44-55-99; Brian Cavanaugh 57-50-107. Girls 16-18 — Sarah Maddox 89-93-182; Drew Grimes 98-103; 201; Julie Hogan 105-96-201; Emily Ledford 106-106-212. Girls 14-15 — Katie Clark 88-90-178; Samantha Bell 96-92-188; Brooke Flannelly 118-110-228; Libby Clark 129-123-252. Girls 12-13 — Ali Schrock 53-53-106. Girls 10-11 — Ali Ciucci 55-69-124. Girls 8-9 — Dani Grace Schrock 55-45-100; Gracie Ciucci 63-58-121; Libby Larkin 69-65-134.